Lamu Port Cargo Volumes Surge as Major Shipping Lines Begin Operations
Lamu, 5 February 2026
Kenya’s Port of Lamu handled 799,161 metric tonnes of cargo in 2025, representing a dramatic ten-fold increase from just 74,380 tonnes the previous year. This remarkable growth stems primarily from transhipment traffic, with Mediterranean Shipping Company recently joining French carrier CMA CGM in regular operations at the facility. The port, part of the ambitious LAPSSET corridor project connecting Kenya to South Sudan and Ethiopia, is emerging as a viable alternative to congested Mombasa whilst regional trade volumes exceed projections originally forecast for 2029.
Strategic Position Within Regional Trade Networks
The Port of Lamu’s transformation reflects broader regional trade dynamics, with container traffic reaching 55,687 TEUs during 2025 [1][5]. This growth occurs against the backdrop of record-breaking performance across Kenya’s port network, where Mombasa handled 45.45 million tonnes in 2025, representing a 10.881 per cent increase from the previous year’s 40.99 million tonnes [5]. Captain Abdulaziz Mzee, Lamu Port’s General Manager, characterised this performance as indicating “gradual uptake of the facility as an alternative maritime gateway along the Kenyan coast” [1]. The timing proves particularly significant as Mombasa continues experiencing congestion issues expected to persist until the end of February 2026 [7].
LAPSSET Corridor Development Creates Economic Opportunities
As part of the Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor project, the facility represents a crucial component of East Africa’s evolving trade infrastructure [1]. This strategic positioning gained additional significance on 5 February 2026, when South Sudan officially received ten hectares of land from Kenya for constructing a dry inland port in Naivasha [6]. The South Sudan Revenue Authority’s Commissioner General William Anyuon Kuol indicated the dry port could become operational within four to five months if construction proceeds as planned [6]. This development directly supports communities in border regions, including refugee populations seeking livelihood opportunities, as improved trade corridors typically generate employment in logistics, warehousing, and related services [GPT].
Transhipment Traffic Drives Immediate Growth
Officials from the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association visited Lamu to discuss logistical coordination and regional trade flows, emphasising the port’s role within the Northern Corridor transport network [1]. Freight forwarders highlighted that sustained volumes and expanded hinterland connectivity remain crucial for the port’s long-term viability [1]. The current cargo volumes at Lamu remain modest compared to established ports, yet transhipment traffic is expected to be central to building activity in the short term [1]. Mediterranean Shipping Company’s recent commencement of operations, joining French carrier CMA CGM, signals growing confidence from major international shipping lines [1].
Regional Trade Integration Accelerates
The broader regional context shows transit cargo increasing by 19.5 per cent across Kenya’s ports, from 13.29 million tonnes in 2024 to 15.88 million tonnes in 2025 [5][7]. Uganda’s transit cargo grew by 25.2 per cent, the Democratic Republic of Congo by 16.5 per cent, Rwanda by 22.8 per cent, and Tanzania by 11 per cent during this period [7]. Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto noted that the 2025 cargo totals exceeded projections originally forecast for 2029, stating this “marks a significant growth in regional trade which calls for capacity expansion to meet the trade demands” [7]. In January 2026, Rwanda and Kenya signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Kenya Ports Authority liaison office in Kigali, further strengthening Northern Corridor logistics and regional trade integration [5]. These developments create improved access to employment opportunities for both host communities and refugee populations across the region, as enhanced trade connectivity typically generates jobs in transport, customs clearance, and commercial services [GPT].